Landmark Land Handover: Nari Nari Tribal Council Takes Stewardship of The Great Cumbung

In Short

• Historic Handover: The Nature Conservancy Australia has officially transferred 16,000 hectares of The Great Cumbung wetlands to the Nari Nari Tribal Council (NNTC).

• Environmental Protection: The deal includes a commitment to seek Ramsar listing, recognising the site as a wetland of international importance for its 130+ bird species.

• Unified Management: The acquisition sees NNTC now manage a continuous corridor of land alongside the existing Gayini and Toogimbie Indigenous Protected Areas.

The Nature Conservancy Australia (TNC) has announced the finalised sale of The Great Cumbung Swamp to the Nari Nari Tribal Council (NNTC).

The deal, settled after a competitive bidding process, sees the ownership of one of south-west NSW's most ecologically vital wetlands transfer to a local, Indigenous-led organisation.

Details of the sale remain undisclosed however in TNC and Tiverton Agriculture originally purchased the Great Cumbung for approximately $55 million in 2019

The Great Cumbung covers 16,000 hectares of Lachlan River wetlands, and part of the former cattle properties of Boyong and Juanbung, north of Hay.

Located at the bottom end of the Lachlan River, it provides a crucial link between the Lachlan and Murrumbidgee systems.

According to TNC the health of these wetlands and riverine forests is directly tied to the broader catchment health that sustains local agriculture and community water security.

The site is a haven for biodiversity, supporting over 130 bird species.

TNC says under the new ownership, the protection of this habitat will be formalised; The agreement includes a proposed permanent protection covenant and a commitment to seek Ramsar listing, which would recognise the site as a wetland of international importance.

Image: DCCEEW

TNC says the transition is s a natural progression for the NNTC, which already manages the adjoining Gayini and Toogimbie Indigenous Protected Area.

"Congratulations to NNTC on this great achievement," TNC Australia Country Director, Lara Gallagher said.

"It builds on their excellent conservation results achieved at the adjoining Gayini Conservation Area and the Toogimbie Indigenous Protected Area."

"NNTC are exceptional conservation land managers who share TNC’s vision for long‑term conservation outcomes.

"We are pleased that the agreement includes proposed permanent protection of the wetland through a 16,000‑hectare covenant, along with a commitment to seek Ramsar listing as a wetland of international importance."

NNTC says the acquisition is as much about the future as it is about the past.

Jamie Woods, Chair of NNTC, said the management of the Great Cumbung will be guided by cultural knowledge to ensure the landscape’s restoration.

"Nari Nari is deeply grateful to TNC and all our partners who have supported this acquisition, helping to secure the long‑term protection of critically endangered ecosystems at a landscape scale."

"We honour the contributions of our Ancestors and Elders whose deep knowledge and care for Country continue to guide efforts to restore and protect The Great Cumbung.

"This milestone strengthens our stewardship of this landscape and supports ongoing culturally-led conservation for future generations.

"Our approach will ensure the ecological health, biodiversity protection, and landscape‑scale restoration outcomes that this unique environment requires."